Anguilla Travel is a Great Vacation Destination

By John McNamara

Amongst the jewels of the Caribbean islands, the island of Anguilla lies located at thenorthern tip of the Leeward Islands in the Eastern Caribbean. The island is small, only 16 miles long and 3 miles wide, and with a population of only 12,000. Even though Anguilla is tiny, its history and culture are as powerful as the other Caribbean islands. Spanish explorers didn't think much of the island, probably because it is extremely flat and barren. The sailors gave the island its name, which translates into "eel", and then moved along on the hunt for more enriching and picturesque lands. Today, the English-speaking Anguilla captures the attention of tourists from around the world, with its 33 sparkling white beaches and sea-going activities. Anguilla travel vacation is a great choice.

Tortola Dolphin Swims and Encounters is Near By

One of the things that Anguilla is know for, are its dolphin programs. Unfortunately, the dolphin program in Anguilla is closed because the real estate where the facility was located was too valuable and redeveloped for luxery villas. So your next best options is to fly to British Virgin Island for the swim with dolphins in Tortola is a reputable company that offers extraordinary dolphin encounters. They offer three different experiences. The Dolphin Discovery Swim is the least interactive, for the comfort of the participants. The lucky individuals stand on a platform with the water at their waist. The dolphins approach the platform where the participants can touch, observe and even kiss the dolphins. The dolphins perform tricks. The guests have the option of entering the water to get involved with them.

The energetic Dolphin Royal Swim Tortola is one step up from the Discovery Swim. The Dolphin facility says that it is the most popular of their swims, and they summarize the experience saying, 'Two dolphins welcome you with an affectionate handshake, a kiss on the cheek, and let you give them one as well. Later, they take you for an original and speedy ride while you hold on to their fins. The most thrilling moment of this program is during the foot-push, when you feel all the strength of your new friends while they push you across the water from the bottom of your feet.' The program is one hour long and held in a small group of eight people or less, so an intimate experience is probable.

The Dolphin Swim Adventure Tortola , which could be called the 'Bonding with the Dolphins Adventure'. The encounter starts with an unforgettable experience, when the dolphin welcomes you with a fin shake and a kiss on the cheek. Then, the dolphin gives you time to kiss him on the cheek as well. The experience gets even better, when the dolphin willfully swims with you on his belly. Next, you are left to spend some quality time bonding with your new love. Imagine cradling a dolphin in your arms. You are sure to be inspired by the animal's grace and acceptance.

At the end, you can use your mask and snorkel to observe the dolphins underwater. They are sure to entertain you with their speed and agility, while remaining interactive. The Dolphin Swim Adventure program lasts 45 minutes.

Children are required to be eight years old and four feet tall in order to join these adventures. An adult is required to attend the children until they are twelve, then they are allowed to participate independently. The swims are daily for the half day program.

What Else Shall We Do?

When you are not building a bond with the dolphins there are plenty of other activities to do on Anguilla. When you are not eating, sleeping, or lying around, there are options for moving your muscles. Wind-surfing, parasailing, horseback riding, scuba-diving, sailing and snorkeling are just a few of the options.

Scuba diving at any seven of Anguilla's marine parks is an option. The parks include Dog Island, Prickley Pear, Seal Island Reef System, Little Bay, Sandy Island, Shoal Bay Harbour Reef System, and Stoney Bay Marine Park.

Diving enthusiasts will find many types of dives, including wreck dives, shore dives, mini wall dives, night dives, heritage diving, and gorgeous dives amongst Anguilla's double reef system. One of the highlights of diving in the blue waters of Anguilla is a 960-ton Spanish galleon named El Buen Consejo. Divers will find cargo, cannons and more, reminiscent of the Caribbean's history. The ship lies at Stoney Bay Marine Park.

Diving trips, equipment and P.A.D.I Certification can be obtained from Anguilla's dive shops, where passionate scuba professionals are eager to help. Two operators are Anguillian Divers and Shoal Bay Scuba & Watersports. Optimum diving conditions are in the summer months when visibility is at its highest and there are little or no ground seas.

If diving to the depths of the sea is not your style, snorkeling is always an option on Anguilla. Most hotels and dive shops offers snorkel and fin rentals, and the majority of charters offer snorkeling excursions.

Cruising and sailing is another option for a daytime activity. These cruises take explorers to secluded beaches and offshore cays, where some white beaches and quaint restaurants await. While on board, food and libations are served. Sunset cocktail cruises are available for the romance seekers. Funtime Charters of Cove Bay and Sail Chocolate can help.

Deep sea fishing is a fantastic adventure off the shores of Anguilla. Marlin, tuna, swordfish, wahoo, yellow fin and black fin tuna are some of the species that can be had in those thick blue waters.

Parasailing is available through Anguilla Watersports located on Shoal Bay. You can ride at 400 to 600 feet above Shoal Bay. The company also rents paddleboats, windsurfers and sailboats.

Turtles nest on the beaches of Anguilla throughout the summer. Leatherback turtles nest May through July, and Green and Hawksbill turtles come on shore August through September. The best beaches to see these turtles are on Maundays Bay, Limestone Bay, Captains Bay, and Meads Bay. As most people know, these turtles should not be bothered, only observed from afar. You can arrange trips to see the turtles through the resort concierges.

If you need a day with the family, spend it at one of Anguilla's 33 beaches, lounging, playing, and swimming. You can also consider spending it at St. Maarten Zoological Park. The park is just a day trip to St. Martin, and has over 80 species of animals. These Caribbean creatures live in a natural setting, and include exotic parrots, reptiles, squirrel monkeys, ocelots, and capybaras.

The Anguilla National Museum is located just off the main street. It presents temporary exhibits pertinent to the local environment, including flora, fauna, culture and history. The Anguilla National Trust is also located in the museum. Visitors can arrange guided hikes, bush walks, and wildlife hikes through the Trust. Popular tours include walks to spot the hawksbill turtle nesting grounds in the summer, and bird-watching. Visits to Amerindian sites are also available.

Shoal Bay is Anguilla's most active beach. If you can manage to trek through the ankle deep sand, you can belly up to the beach bars, rent snorkeling gear, wind surfing equipment, and dinghies from the concession stands strewn along the shore.

The events on Anguilla take the level of enjoyment on the island to another level. Up and coming, there is the Tranquility Jazz Festival, November 8-23. December brings their frost-free Annual Christmas Tree Lighting.

Nature & Climate

The climate of Anguilla is fairly pleasant year round. The average rain fall in Anguilla is 35 inches. The average monthly temperature is 80 degrees Farenheit. The trade winds tend to keep the air cooled. You'll find the water temperature at or around the upper 70's to low 80's.

There are some unique natural formations around the island of Anguilla. Anguilla sand is made of crushed coral stone, which is vulnerable to the pounding of constant tide. This process often takes place off-shore as well, and sometimes formations occur. These coral structures sometimes make their way to shore, where they attract the attention of human. The areas to visit to view nature's artwork include Rendezvous Bay beach and a small beach west of Island Harbour.

In addition to the coral formations, caves have been established on Anguilla. In these areas, the coral rock has been eroded over time by rain and weather, and the surface rock eventually collapsed. This erosion created caverns that today travel underground deep beneath the island. One such hold is Abadam Hole where a hole in the coral rock extends down 20 feet. Underground streams seep through the hole. A collapsed cave that houses a natural spring can be found at Big Spring National Park. The walls of the cave are embellished with Spirit Eyes, painted by Arawak Indians. The natives got their drinking water at this spring.

Where Shall We Stay?

When your day with the dolphins is done, you'll want to look forward to a comfortable place to retreat for the night. Anguilla can provide a hotel to match your style. There are upscale resorts, club-style villas, apartments, condos, locally owned inns, and bed and breakfasts. The facilities are known for their family friendliness. They often have baby-sitting services and amenities. If not, seek out help from a rental agency, or the Anguilla Tourist Board.

Many hotels offer packages for every type of traveler. Visit Expedia.com for a comprehensive accommodations guide. The Anguilla Tourism Board advertises significant rate savings for visitors from May through December.

The Sydans Apartments and Villas are an affordable choice for overnight stays. A traveler from Falmouth, Maine recommended the apartments on Trip Advisor by saying, "My wife and I stayed 4 nights in March, 2006 at Syd-Ans after reading a travel report on Anguilla in the Washington Post that referenced Syd-Ans. The price was very inexpensive especially for Anguilla, about $95 per night." The apartments are in a convenient location for traveling around the island. Perhaps the highlight of Sydans is its location just a few hundred yards away from Sandy Gourd, a quite beach.

In the mid-price range, the Carimar Beach Club has much to offer. A family from London England state, "My husband and 2 small children have just returned from our holiday in the Caribbean where we spent 1 week at the Carimar Beach Club which we really enjoyed. The apartments are comfortable and spacious with 2 bedrooms - one with queen bed with ensuite shower and the other with 2 singles and a bathroom opposite."

On the high end of the hotel spectrum is Cap Juluca resort. A Trip Advisor member from New York describes the place favorably, "The attractive white villas are situated along the beach, facilitating very easy access from your room. Our room featured a comfortable porch overlooking the ocean, and a very large and well-appointed bathroom/shower area. Room service and house-keeping were helpful and well-mannered. Some of the villas feature their own private swimming area."

Getting There and Getting Around

Traveling to Anguilla is a fairly simple task. International air service into Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, and Antigua is available. Then, the island is just a convenient one hour east of Puerto Rico, and seven minutes north of St. Maarten via air. Travelers can fly directly into Anguilla's Wallblake Airport from Puerto Rico, or transfer via ferry from St. Martin.

Getting around the island is also easy. There is a major road running from East to West, and smaller roads stemming off from there. You can travel by taxi, bike, scooter or car. If you rent a car, you'll need a valid driver's license, and remember that the driver's side is on the left. As you travel the island, you will find that every turn you take can offer a treat, whether it's the Mediterranean architecture, a beach vista, or the friendly locals.

Dining

Anguilla is well known in the Caribbean as the 'cuisine capital'. The island boasts extraordinary restaurants with award-winning chefs from near and far, superb service, fresh fare, and scenic locations. You can find affordable dining and elegant dining, gourmet beachfront establishments and trendy bistros. There are over 70 dining options to choose from, with multiple cuisines, including Mediterranean, Creole, Italian, and even Indo-Chinese. Of course, there is a plethora of seafood.

Picante is a casual restaurant located on the West Side, and one that gets rave reviews. One diner says, "If you love Mexican or southwest food, don't miss Picante. Delicious! We ate there twice during our 11 days recently. The steak enchiladas were one of the specials both nights, and they are to die for. And their guacamole is the best I have had. Fabulous!" Prices at Picante range from $8 to $30. Fodors describes their food, "Huge, tasty burritos with a choice of fillings, fresh warm tortilla chips with first-rate guacamole, and tequila-lime chicken grilled under a brick are all sure bets. Mexican chocolate pudding makes a great choice for dessert."

If you are looking for an upscale dining experience Blanchards is a smart choice. Fodors says, "This absolutely delightful restaurant, a mecca for foodies, is considered one of the best in the Caribbean, if not the world… The nuanced contemporary menu is ever-changing but always delightful; house classics like corn chowder, lobster cakes, and a Caribbean fish sampler are crowd pleasers. For dessert, concoctions like the key lime "pie-in-a-glass" or the justly famous "cracked coconut" will be remembered long after your suntan has faded." And they summarize the menu stating, "We ate at Blanchards twice our last trip. It is awesome. The atmosphere is beautiful, and the spicy lobster is to die for. It is truly a spot you don't want to miss.

Anguilla offers great food, comfortable and luxurious lodging, a plethora of activities, and endless opportunities for relaxing. It is easy to imagine how rejuvenating Anguilla might be, but when you get there you'll know for sure. The people of the island, along with the natural resources and environment make it one-of-a-kind, even amongst the countless number of islands in the world.